Customizing your smartphone, or any device for that matter, is a rite of passage for all of us. By customizing, you turn a standard looking device that millions of users may be carrying around, into something that is truly ours. It goes from a slab of plastic and rare metals, to something that is very personal.

Android users and abusers know very well how customizable their beloved devices are. We rounded up 12 ways for you to customize your Android device; whether you're a seasoned Android vet or an Android noob, you'll want to take a look.

The basics

Change your wallpaper: Setting your own wallpaper, be it a photo you took or one you found online, is a great way to personalize the general look and feel of your device.

Create and assign custom ringtones: Ringtones are one of the first things people customize when they get a new phone, no matter the device. Here are a couple of options for making or downloading your own ringtones.

Spruce up your contact list: Your contact list holds a lot of vital information. Make your contacts list more fun and easy to navigate quickly by adding custom photos and personalized ringtones. Here's how to do it using the People app in Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.

Customize notifications: Notifications are key to staying on top of what's happening without having to obsessively check your phone every few minutes. Here are a few ways to customize your notifications to make them more useful and personal.